Malört: a Wormword Liqueur As Bitter As Chicago’s Winters

Calling anyone who enjoys black licorice and grapefruits: this is the liquor for you! While not for everyone, bësk (Swedish for “bitter”) is a traditional Swedish liquor made from wormwood. One of the most well known brands, Jeppson’s Malört (Swedish for “wormwood”), was founded in Chicago, where it is still very popular. Frankly, Malört tastes like gasoline and is better used to haze newcomers to the city than as an enjoyable beverage. However, an artisan bësk from craft Chicago distillery Letherbee, is much more palatable and in my opinion, quite delectable – especially alongside the right cheese.